Jackie Haines Pinball

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During our lives, God often uses people who reach out in love and help to us during a difficult situation, as "Jesus with skin on." This assures us that our heavenly Father still is with us, caring for us and holding us close. In other situations, the Lord can use pets and other animals to accomplish the same goals. In this memoir, a very special gift from God came into my life as a starving, thirsty, flea-and-ear-mite-infested stray kitten. He grew into a handsome, affectionate big cat who became my "Jesus wrapped in fur." This kitty whom my husband had named Pinball was always there when I needed an extra touch of God's love and presence during the darkest moments of the most difficult and challenging decade of my life. Pinball seemed to understand and share my feelings; he seemed to feel my pain. He grieved along with me and then often gave me reasons to chuckle and welcome the sunshine and joy once again. I am absolutely convinced that God himself placed Pinball into my life at exactly this moment when I most needed to know for certain that God still loves me, is always holding me close, and can bring me triumphantly through life's deepest valleys as I hang on to His promises. A warm, soft, purring cat was a most comforting and healing medicine to soothe my broken heart and assure me that God is, indeed, good all the time, and I have grown stronger through all these experiences.